A PRIMARY school in the district has been given a £800,000 makeover just in time for the new term.

Maylandsea Primary School, in Katonia Avenue, Mayland, underwent a major revamp over the summer holidays.

The building and electrical work included a full refitting of all the interior light fixtures, an update of the CCTV system, secured doors, better disabled access and an upgrade of the entrance hall.

Cash for the improvements came from a special fund designed to keep academy and sixth-form college buildings safe and in good working order.

The primary school put in two successful bids to update the CCTV system and to improve overall security.

Executive headteacher Nick Rudman said the school now looks “incredibly different”.

Dr Rudman said: “Three years ago, in October 2015, we decided to become an academy.

“We joined a network of academies which is under the Eveleigh Link Academy Trust.

“The only schools that can get funding these days are these new academies.

“If it wasn’t for this funding, we wouldn’t have been able to do the work we have done.”

He added: “The building was 26 years old and it was really feeling its age.

“The building was finished on the Sunday before the children came back so there was a bit of worry that it would be finished in time.

“From a safeguarding point of view, it is good that parents can now feel better about the security in the school for their children as well as themselves.”